Phuzekhemisi

Data updated on 2025-06-21 15:10:47 UTC

When Trevor Payne, the Barbados-born founder and director of the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir, heard the singing of South African vocalist and songwriter Phuzekhemisi (born Johnston Zibakwakhe Mnyandu), he was so impressed that he immediately envisioned a collaboration between his choir and Phuzekhemisi and his group. Their joint performance at St. James United Church in Montreal was recorded and released as Jubilation VII: Hamba Ekhaya. Phuzekhemisi was no stranger to music. As John Bhengu, he had built his reputation as a finger style acoustic guitarist in the streets of Durban, Johannesburg, during the 1950s. Switching to the electric guitar and assuming his current name in the late '60s, he continued to pioneer the Zulu-traditional music known as maskandi. A native of the small South African village of Maskanda, Phuzekhemisi launched his musical career shortly after relocating to Johannesburg. After building a following as a street musician, he was taken under the wing of Welcome Bhodloza Nzimande, station manager of Ukhozi FM (formerly Radio Zulu). With Nzimande's encouragement, he was able to secure a recording contract in the early '60s. His debut album, Imbizio, which combined traditional maskandi and township jive, sold more than 100,000 copies and qualified for double-platinum status. ~ Craig Harris, Rovi

Genres

: traditional music afro soul

Total plays

10.4 million

Updated on 2025-06-21

Date	Total plays
2025-06-21	10,419,577
2025-06-13	10,354,838
2025-06-05	10,292,519
2025-05-28	10,232,820
2025-05-20	10,172,201
2025-05-04	10,047,158
2025-04-25	11,238,819
2025-04-15	9,895,535
2025-04-08	9,842,012
2025-03-30	9,774,185
2025-03-22	9,715,112
2025-03-13	9,651,628
2025-03-04	9,590,213
2025-02-24	9,535,877
2025-02-14	9,466,860
2025-02-06	9,411,165
2025-01-26	9,333,073
2025-01-18	9,271,501
2025-01-09	9,207,496
2025-01-01	9,150,050
2024-12-23	9,072,771
2024-12-15	10,443,013
2024-11-26	6,594,105
2024-06-17	5,641,073
2024-06-01	5,561,367
2024-05-17	5,478,844
2024-04-30	5,390,592
2024-04-15	5,320,211
2024-03-31	5,250,535
2024-03-16	5,173,929
2024-03-01	5,105,275
2024-02-16	5,040,998
2023-11-30	4,686,612
2023-10-21	4,439,403
2023-10-04	3,797,837
2023-09-19	3,738,867
2023-08-30	3,661,692
2023-08-26	3,227,598
2023-08-21	3,208,105

Monthly listeners

37,197

Followers

37,657

Top Cities

Johannesburg

9,684 listeners
Durban

7,032 listeners
Pretoria

5,767 listeners
Cape Town

5,084 listeners
Gauteng

1,990 listeners

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Most popular tracks

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Inkanyezi Nezazi (The Star and the Wiseman)	1,532,986	4:52	2001-11-23
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Imbizo	948,911	3:60	1992-06-29
Welcome	603,428	2:22	2019-07-12
Awusho Dali	346,830	3:40	2019-04-09
Imbizo (Da Capo's Touch)	344,897	6:01	2021-11-05
Ngomthandazo	308,551	4:59	2013-01-01
Inkunzi Kabhejane	303,325	4:02	1999-10-15
Siguklel'e Thendeni	202,622	3:55	1992-06-29
Sinenkinga Ndabezitha	198,783	5:49	2017-10-20
Vessels	191,311	3:04	2019-03-22
Imikhuba	174,340	4:12	2012-10-05
Amagama Akho	156,893	3:56	1992-06-29
Hlanganani	135,402	3:55	1992-06-29
Sikhokha Njalo	119,235	4:18	2020-07-24
Ake Nibabheke	102,956	5:04	2001-06-18
Izwe Alithuthuki	89,148	5:08	1997-08-08
Ngo '49	84,965	4:33	1996-03-18
We Baba Wami	82,295	3:48	1992-06-29
Phumani Ematarven	81,873	4:35	2024-11-15
Inja Yami	72,227	4:03	1994-02-21
Impimpi	71,563	4:31	1995-03-13
Sidedele	66,901	4:22	1992-06-29
Cishe Safa	57,954	3:53	1992-06-29
Umama Asimboni	54,314	3:41	1992-06-29
Bayete	52,118	4:41	2007-01-01
Bayede	51,081	4:14	2001-06-18
Bawucisha Ngoparafin	49,846	4:19	2019-04-09
Nagbalekel' Isikole	47,921	4:48	2001-06-18
Isisheli Sami	46,717	3:52	1992-06-29
Senzeni?	44,957	3:53	1992-06-29
Bayede Zulu	40,506	4:07	2012-10-05
Icala Lenja Yami	40,047	4:12	2012-10-05
Ungathi Yimfene	39,661	4:26	2012-10-05
Wemfana	37,377	4:59	2001-06-18
Emampondweni	37,253	4:19	2007-01-01
Itshe	36,270	3:56	2011-07-10
Abakwethu	34,073	4:48	2001-06-18
Ungondle Mntanami	32,932	5:01	1997-08-08
Singaba Kwa Mnyandu	32,190	4:58	2001-06-18
Kahle Sbali	30,427	4:14	2011-07-10
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iPolotiki	29,354	4:19	2024-09-20
Ubhiya	27,273	4:08	2017-10-20
Nothing to Something	25,205	11:06	2019-04-09
Emjondolo	25,010	4:45	2012-10-05
Nginenkinga	24,953	4:58	2001-06-18
Bulala Mina	24,539	5:54	2017-10-20
Izulu Lenzani	23,952	4:54	2017-10-20
Emadlozini	23,866	4:09	2017-10-20
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Amacala	21,768	4:34	2005-09-12
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Wafel' Ubunduna	17,597	4:44	2001-06-18
Umculo Ka Maskandi	17,434	4:33	2001-06-18
Mawethu	17,133	3:33	2007-01-01
Sasebenza	17,116	4:56	2002-08-26
Umuntu Eisa	17,052	5:01	2007-01-01
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Sisempini	16,862	3:42	2017-10-20
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Ayimale	16,383	4:25	1995-03-13
Bayakuzonda	15,985	5:04	2001-06-18
Umona Kwakho	15,885	4:20	2007-01-01
Khuza Nduna	15,648	4:50	2024-11-15
Igama Lami	15,646	4:07	1999-10-15
Kadumisa	15,563	3:55	2012-10-05
Emakhosini	15,246	4:03	1999-10-15
Yekani Insangu	15,242	4:13	2017-10-20
Amapasi	15,066	3:55	2011-07-10
Sthandwa	15,048	3:44	2005-09-12
Izingozi	14,931	5:19	1997-08-08
Maye	14,773	4:37	1994-02-21
Nihkuluma Ngani	14,535	4:27	2007-01-01
Baba Ka Vukumphinde	13,789	4:27	2012-10-05
Umalume	13,577	5:06	1997-08-08
Bakithi Ngisizeni	13,513	4:47	1997-08-08
Egoli	13,311	4:00	1999-10-15
Duku Duku Imbizo	13,251	4:37	1996-03-18
Kungakho Nilwa Nodwa	13,109	5:09	2013-01-01
Baisizwe	13,106	3:54	2007-01-01
Sesihlangene	12,941	4:35	2007-09-28
Nanimshayeleni	12,886	4:08	2017-10-20
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Ngiyohlal' Ethekwini	12,708	4:42	2001-06-18
Usathane	12,659	4:11	2017-10-20
Nangumuntu	12,560	3:34	2007-01-01
Winyamazane	12,528	4:32	2012-10-05
Mtaka Dadewethu	12,455	4:35	2017-10-20
Singazondana Sodwa	12,201	5:05	1997-08-08
Angisiy' Umbulali	12,070	4:43	2002-08-26
Amaphoyisa	12,030	4:04	1999-10-15
Bhasobha O Tsebanyana	11,945	5:55	2004-10-18
Bakhuzeni	11,754	4:48	2017-10-20
Uguluv'omnyama	11,467	3:57	2017-10-20
Amandiya	11,414	5:34	2009-06-26
Masigodukeni	11,119	4:15	1994-02-21
Baholi	10,880	4:42	2007-01-01
Wedlozi Lami	10,828	4:25	1995-03-13
iPolotiki (Radio Edit)	10,806	4:06	2024-11-15
Amanzi Mtoti	10,767	4:33	2011-07-10
Ngubani Omemezaya	10,612	4:33	1995-03-13
MaChrestu masithandane	10,448	4:30	2019-09-19
Isono Sakho	10,365	4:06	2011-07-10
Ingulube Enkane	10,349	4:04	1994-02-21
Malume	10,286	3:11	1994-02-21
Abakwa Ndosi	10,247	4:12	2011-07-10
Savota	10,233	4:30	1995-03-13
Ingonyama	10,054	4:56	2013-01-01
Ingwe	9,960	4:22	1995-03-13
Amanyandu	9,879	3:52	2013-01-01
Phans' Imikhonto (Live)	9,849	3:43	1998-09-07
Eyakithi Emkhomanzi	9,767	3:54	1994-02-21
Ixoxo Emsamo	9,506	6:03	2017-11-24
Sinkhumbule' Khaya	9,263	4:01	2012-10-05
Izinhlangani	9,250	4:07	1999-10-15
Izindaba Zakho	9,229	4:22	2009-06-26
Izithembiso	9,026	4:03	2012-10-05
Emlazi	8,981	4:06	2011-07-10
Amazondo	8,675	3:52	2024-11-15
Asisukume Sakhe	8,594	4:48	2012-10-05
Wemosaba Umuntu	8,357	4:45	2011-07-10
Ngane Yakwethu	8,096	4:28	2001-06-18
Empalamende	8,013	4:20	1994-02-21
Ziyaduma	7,894	3:28	2020-07-24
Izifundiswa	7,850	4:02	1999-10-15
Obulala Mina	7,669	4:28	2011-07-10
Wembulali	7,556	4:27	1995-03-13
Webhodloza	7,444	4:25	1996-03-18
Amapasi	7,325	4:37	2014-07-04
Wesipoki	7,158	4:41	2004-10-04
Sidlalunpa	6,908	4:41	1996-03-18
Ipolitiki	6,892	4:53	2009-06-26
Owani Umbango	6,877	4:32	2013-01-01
Intsanbatheka	6,798	5:15	2000-01-01
Embangweni	6,772	3:58	1999-10-15
Nang' Usathane	6,269	3:39	2007-09-28
Gobiqolo	6,160	3:48	2020-07-24
Induku Esizanayo	6,131	4:41	2024-11-15
Umoya Ongcwele	5,981	4:51	2009-06-26
Kwelakithi	5,973	4:28	2013-01-01
Bayasi Thokozela	5,918	4:03	1994-02-21
Sisabizelwa Imbizo	5,825	4:05	1996-03-18
Kankolmbela	5,823	4:26	2011-07-10
Ikusasa Lomuntu	5,755	4:40	2009-06-26
Sizobenzani	5,731	4:43	1994-02-21
We Mame	5,719	4:46	2002-08-26
Safel' Ubala	5,690	4:26	1996-03-18
Mntaka Baba	5,640	4:10	1999-10-15
Basizuma	5,620	4:32	1996-03-18
Nihlangene Ngathi	5,618	4:58	2002-08-26
Ngisize Baba	5,561	5:01	2003-10-10
Ndaliwe Ekhaya	5,558	4:57	2001-06-22
Siyolwa Nabo	5,523	4:55	2002-08-26
Maye, Pt. 2	5,424	4:37	1994-02-21
Ngoze Ngife	5,401	4:19	1995-03-13
Kuzolunga	5,392	4:43	2009-06-26
Amagwala	5,302	5:06	2020-07-24
Weba Holi	5,289	4:33	1995-03-13
Bonke Abantu Basuthi	5,174	4:24	1996-03-18
We Mngani Wami	5,161	4:49	2002-08-26
Wehlobo Lwami	5,063	4:24	1994-02-21
Amandl' Ami	5,046	3:41	2024-11-15
Abantu Abanamali	5,042	4:19	1996-03-18
Umgababa	4,920	4:36	2004-10-04
Umholi Wenu	4,914	4:43	2004-10-04
Balele	4,871	4:52	2003-10-10
Suka Mthothongo	4,841	4:35	2018-09-07
Amakhansela (Live)	4,794	4:50	2002-08-26
Anginandaba Nabo	4,778	4:26	2009-06-26
Umagugu	4,707	4:14	2024-11-15
Nanithinta Thina	4,703	4:46	2005-09-12
Kosa Nini	4,645	5:11	2001-06-22
Ngo '49 (Remix)	4,615	7:39	1996-03-18
Kwelase Zimbabwe	4,562	3:19	2007-09-28
Ma-Afrika	4,548	4:53	2002-08-26
Babaleka	4,527	4:39	2003-10-10
Thongo Lami	4,445	4:35	2020-07-24
Isithothobala	4,430	4:24	2004-10-04
Asiyen' Ekhaya	4,342	4:25	2005-09-12
Ithuna Lami 2	4,270	3:40	2024-11-15
Itoyi Toyi	4,234	3:39	2007-09-28
Ngikhale 'Izinja Zami	4,190	4:49	1998-09-07
Amonkhonzela	4,132	4:16	2011-07-10
Ziyangiluma Izinja	4,115	4:44	2020-07-24
Asidle Phansi Siye Soweto	4,000	4:24	1996-03-18
Munt' Omnyama	3,956	4:38	2005-09-12
Okokuqala	3,936	4:35	1996-03-18
Thina Ngeke	3,850	3:07	2005-09-12
Amaxoki	3,827	4:24	2005-09-12
We Sibali	3,772	4:49	2002-08-26
Bafun' Izwe	3,762	5:13	2009-06-26
Mazulu	3,751	4:43	2003-10-10
Misuzulu Ngonyama Yesizwe	3,734	9:26	2022-07-04
Lomhlaba Wawenzekeni	3,710	5:13	1998-09-07
Asambe Siyovota	3,708	5:01	1998-09-07
Singaba Sebenzi	3,705	4:49	1998-09-07
Manini	3,647	4:24	1996-03-18
Tholakhele	3,644	4:10	1994-02-21
Bayasizonda	3,621	4:34	2004-10-04
Akesiyek' Ukluwa	3,619	4:53	1998-09-07
Umakoti	3,575	4:36	2013-01-01
Bayashosholoza	3,482	4:05	2020-07-24
Enkandla	3,473	4:47	2009-06-26
Abashayi Bengoma	3,349	3:54	2004-10-04
Emahostela	3,343	4:30	2003-10-10
Lukhulu Luyeza	3,316	4:55	2003-10-10
Ekhaya Ngonyawo	3,314	3:16	2007-09-28
Uhlobo Lwami	3,288	4:18	2005-09-12
We Mfoka Tshat' Ugodu	3,271	3:13	2007-09-28
Anginabani	3,266	3:21	2007-09-28
Iphesenti	3,263	4:47	2003-10-10
Izangoma	3,209	4:24	2004-10-04
Babulal' Ubaba	3,206	4:51	1998-09-07
Bayezwana Laba Bantu	3,200	3:30	2007-09-28
We Mafumadi	3,176	3:51	2007-09-28
Wayaphi	3,084	4:11	2020-07-24
Asazi Nibangani	3,077	3:17	2007-09-28
Madoda	3,071	4:52	1998-09-07
Buya Mntanami	3,024	4:26	2005-09-12
Umzabalazo	3,020	4:20	2024-11-15
Umehluko	2,877	4:15	2004-10-04
Izwe Alithuthuki	2,838	4:33	2003-10-10
Izwe	2,838	4:33	2005-05-30
Hamba Stimela	2,824	4:51	2001-06-22
Inhliziyo	2,814	4:05	2013-01-01
Asina Lutho	2,793	4:55	1998-09-07
U-DJ	2,792	4:30	2024-11-15
Kubuhlungu	2,602	4:49	2004-10-04
Ishumi Leminyaka	2,528	5:04	1998-09-07
Maphanga	2,116	3:56	2020-07-24
Shenge	2,108	4:19	2022-10-03
Ngizodlala	2,030	5:45	2021-08-24
Msholozi	2,021	4:09	2007-09-28
Asazi	1,856	3:37	2005-09-12
Impimpi	1,725	5:45	2016-04-22
I Don't Care	1,691	4:54	2001-06-22
U Zuma	1,588	3:37	2007-09-28
Wangithumela Ngezulu	1,382	3:42	2020-07-24
Abazali Bami	1,310	4:54	2013-01-01
Umoya Wethu Uyavuma Shenge	1,215	4:45	2022-09-23
Komalume	1,201	4:08	2013-01-01
Abasakazi	1,163	4:59	2013-01-01
Ngyaphanda Ngyaphusha	1,113	4:01	2024-07-25
Uyadlwengula	1,112	4:04	2013-01-01
Siyadlala Masithanda	1,082	5:20	2001-06-22
Ngihamba Ngebhanoyi	1,068	3:17	2007-09-28
Ikusasa Lomuntu	< 1000	5:40	2009-06-26
Ziyaw' Emgababa	< 1000	5:24	2009-06-26
Ma-Africa	< 1000	4:25	2013-01-01
Ethekwini	< 1000	4:17	2013-01-01
Kungakho Nilwa Nodwa - Instrumental	< 1000	5:09	2013-01-01
Indoda	< 1000	4:48	2013-01-01
Jabul Ujule	< 1000	4:39	2013-01-01
Bayangiphox' Abantu	< 1000	4:40	2004-10-04
Ngeke Besithinte	< 1000	3:59	2022-09-23
Imbizo (Rudeboy Paul Mix)	< 1000	4:04	2002-11-07
Izwe Lakithi	< 1000	4:28	2001-06-22
Emhlabeni	< 1000	5:12	2001-06-22
Yeyakwabani	< 1000	4:59	2001-06-22
Awebada Nomama	< 1000	4:58	2001-06-22
WeMngani Wami	< 1000	4:32	2001-06-22